Part-time & Graduate Enrollment Services
Telecommunications Engineering Technology MS
Program overview
The telecommunications industry has driven technological innovation and provided outstanding career opportunities for people with the right technical and leadership skills. New services offered through the Internet, mobility offered by wireless technology, and extreme capacity offered by fiber optics, as well as the evolution of policy and regulation, are shaping the telecommunication network of the future. RIT offers a unique program focused on telecommunications that develops the advanced level of skill and knowledge needed by future leaders in the industry.
The master of science in telecommunications engineering technology is designed for individuals who seek advancement into managerial roles in a dynamic telecommunications environment. This program can be completed through either online or on-campus study.
Curriculum
The program requires 36 semester credit hours of study and includes eight core courses that introduce essential fundamental concepts and skills. Each student is required to complete either a capstone project or a master’s thesis. The remaining credits consist of technical electives or other approved graduate courses.
Telecommunications engineering technology, MS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| TCET-710 | Principles of Telecommunication | 3 |
| TCET-730 | Telecommunications Policy and Issues | 3 |
| TCET-750 | Wireless Infrastructure and Policy | 3 |
| TCET-670 | Applied Research Methods | 3 |
| TCET-740 | Fiber Optic Telecommunications Technology | 3 |
| TCET-720 | Telecommunications Concepts | 3 |
| TCET-760 | Network Planning and Design | 3 |
| TCET-680 | Graduate Writing Strategies | 3 |
| Second Year | ||
| Electives | 6-9 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| TCET-790 | Thesis | 6 |
| TCET-797 | Graduate Project* | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 36 | |
* The Graduate Project (TCET-797) option requires students to complete one additional elective.
Additional Information
Transfer credit
A limited number of credit hours may be transferred from an accredited institution to this program. Please consult the department chair for more information.
Other approved electives
Students may take up to three graduate electives from other graduate programs subject to the approval of the program chair. Many students choose to include management courses from the E. Philip Saunders College of Business.
Project/thesis
Each student is required to complete either a graduate project or master's thesis. Students who elect the graduate project must take one additional elective.
Research and cooperative education
Students in the program have the opportunity to apply for research projects or a cooperative education experience. While not a requirement of the program, these opportunities increase the value of the program and the marketability of its graduates.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to the MS program in telecommunications engineering technology, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree in engineering technology, engineering, or a related degree from an accredited institution,
- Submit two professional recommendations,
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B),
- Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, and
- Complete a graduate application.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores of 570 (paper-based) or 88-89 (Internet-based) are required. Applicants with a lower TOEFL score may be admitted conditionally and may be required to take a prescribed program in English and a reduced program course load. International applicants from universities outside the United States must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
While GRE scores are not required for applicants submitting transcripts from American universities, they are recommended for those whose undergraduate grade-point average is below 3.0.
Career Outcomes
Recent EmployersAircom International, American Fiber Systems, Boeing, Cingular Wireless, Cisco Systems, Current Communications Services, Dialogic (an Intel Company), ECC Technologies, Eli Research, Fibertech Networks, Frontier Telephone, Genencor, General Dynamics, Harris Corporation, IBM, Inter-Tel Technologies, Lockheed Martin, MCI, Motorola, NMS Communications, Nextel Partners, NORTEL, OneStream Networks, Ostrow Electric, PaeTec Communications, Paychex Inc., PICS Telecom, Quick Eagle Networks, Redcom Lab, Sentel, T Mobil, Verizon Wireless.